{"version":"1.9","identifier":"2e54d483-102d-44cf-8432-895dd3f87c27","language":"en-US","title":"Air Canada shuts its Toronto Signature Suite to expand and its Vancouver domestic lounge until 2028","layout":{"columns":7,"width":1024,"margin":32,"gutter":20},"componentLayouts":{"text":{"columnStart":0,"columnSpan":7,"maximumContentWidth":720,"margin":{"top":12,"bottom":12}},"photo":{"columnStart":0,"columnSpan":7,"margin":{"top":20,"bottom":20}}},"componentTextStyles":{"default":{"fontName":"HelveticaNeue","fontSize":18,"lineHeight":29,"textColor":"#171717"},"headline":{"fontName":"HelveticaNeue-Bold","fontSize":36,"lineHeight":42,"conditional":[{"conditions":{"maxViewportWidth":480},"fontSize":28,"lineHeight":34}]},"intro":{"fontName":"HelveticaNeue","fontSize":20,"lineHeight":28,"textColor":"#555555"},"caption":{"fontName":"HelveticaNeue","fontSize":13,"lineHeight":19,"textColor":"#666666"},"byline":{"fontName":"HelveticaNeue","fontSize":13,"lineHeight":20,"textColor":"#666666"},"body":{"fontName":"HelveticaNeue","fontSize":18,"lineHeight":29,"paragraphSpacingAfter":14,"linkStyle":{"textColor":"#00704a"}}},"metadata":{"canonicalURL":"https://www.loungefrog.com/news/air-canada-toronto-signature-suite-vancouver-domestic-maple-leaf-lounge-closures","datePublished":"2026-10-08T17:33:18.230835Z","dateModified":"2026-10-14T23:43:55.373668Z","authors":["Patrick Karsh"],"excerpt":"Toronto's Signature Suite closed Sept. 30 and should partly reopen in December. Vancouver's domestic Maple Leaf Lounge closes Oct. 14 for about 14 months.","thumbnailURL":"https://pub-fac99da959e344fe99d810d309cef7df.r2.dev/photos/article/2e54d483-102d-44cf-8432-895dd3f87c27/9e53238f6b2b88cf786d4f72f3f63739.jpg","generatorName":"Frog News","generatorVersion":"1.0"},"components":[{"role":"title","text":"Air Canada shuts its Toronto Signature Suite to expand and its Vancouver domestic lounge until 2028","textStyle":"headline","layout":"text"},{"role":"intro","text":"Toronto's Signature Suite closed Sept. 30 and should partly reopen in December. Vancouver's domestic Maple Leaf Lounge closes Oct. 14 for about 14 months.","textStyle":"intro","layout":"text"},{"role":"byline","text":"By Patrick Karsh · Published October 8, 2026","textStyle":"byline","layout":"text"},{"role":"photo","URL":"https://pub-fac99da959e344fe99d810d309cef7df.r2.dev/photos/article/2e54d483-102d-44cf-8432-895dd3f87c27/9e53238f6b2b88cf786d4f72f3f63739.jpg","caption":"Air Canada business class cabin (context photo). · www.aircanada.com","accessibilityCaption":"Air Canada business class cabin (context photo).","layout":"photo"},{"role":"caption","text":"Air Canada business class cabin (context photo). · www.aircanada.com","textStyle":"caption","layout":"text"},{"role":"body","format":"markdown","text":"[Air Canada](https://www.loungefrog.com/airlines/ac) has taken two of its busiest lounges out of service this fall. The Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson closed on Sept. 30 so it can grow. The domestic [Maple Leaf Lounge](https://www.loungefrog.com/programs/air-canada-maple-leaf-lounge) in Vancouver follows on Oct. 14, and it will stay shut until early 2028.\n\nHere is what Air Canada is offering instead, and which other lounges are worth knowing about.\n\n## Toronto: the Signature Suite is growing\n\nThe [Signature Suite](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yyz-air-canada-signature-suite) is Air Canada's restaurant-style lounge for long-haul business class. It sits on the upper level of Terminal 1 next to gate E77 and opened in 2017. Air Canada's own notice says the suite is closed for \"approximately two months starting September 30, 2026.\"\n\nCoverage from One Mile at a Time and Milesopedia gives a fuller timeline. The current room is expected to reopen in December 2026. The larger, finished suite is due in early 2027. Prince of Travel reports that the suite is expanding into the space of the former [Plaza Premium](https://www.loungefrog.com/programs/plaza-premium) Lounge next door, which has closed.\n\nWhile the suite is closed, eligible travelers get two things:\n\n* **Priority entry to the International Maple Leaf Lounge** in Terminal 1, through a dedicated line.\n* **A grab-and-go pop-up near gate E85**, with food and drinks to take to the gate.\n\nAir Canada is frank about the trade-off. Its notice warns that the International Maple Leaf Lounge \"will be busier than usual.\"\n\nThere is also an unusual goodwill gesture. Travelers with a suite-eligible ticket during the closure will get a pass for a future visit once the expanded suite opens. One Mile at a Time reports the pass is valid through Dec. 31, 2028. It can be used on any Air Canada international departure, in any class, by the passenger or a guest. Prince of Travel notes that Air Canada has not yet said how the passes will be delivered.\n\nWho is eligible in the first place? Prince of Travel says the suite serves Signature Class travelers flying to Europe, Asia, South America, Australia or New Zealand, on paid or Aeroplan reward tickets. Signature Class flights to the US, Mexico and the Caribbean do not qualify. Star Alliance Gold status does not get you in. Nor does Maple Leaf Lounge access, including the benefit that comes with the American Express [Aeroplan Reserve card](https://www.loungefrog.com/cards/amex-aeroplan-reserve).\n\n## Where to wait in Toronto now\n\nThe [International Maple Leaf Lounge](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yyz-air-canada-maple-leaf-lounge-international) is the main fallback, and it holds up well. It rates 4.6 out of 5 on Lounge Frog, the best of the open lounges in Terminal 1. Our listing shows room for about 300 guests, six shower suites and a full bar. Entry is through Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge rules or Star Alliance Gold.\n\nTravelers who rely on [Priority Pass](https://www.loungefrog.com/programs/priority-pass) have fewer choices on the international side of Terminal 1. Our data shows no open independent lounge there since the [Plaza Premium Lounge (International)](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yyz-plaza-premium-lounge-international) closed in late December 2025. The Plaza Premium lounges for [domestic](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yyz-plaza-premium-lounge-domestic) (4.2) and [US transborder](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yyz-plaza-premium-lounge-us-transborder) (3.9) flights remain open in their own areas. See all options on our [Toronto Pearson page](https://www.loungefrog.com/airports/yyz).\n\n## Vancouver: the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge closes for about 14 months\n\nThe bigger disruption is in Vancouver. Milesopedia reports that the [domestic Maple Leaf Lounge](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yvr-air-canada-maple-leaf-lounge-domestic) on Pier C serves its last guests on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Construction starts on Oct. 14. Reopening is targeted for early 2028, with no exact date yet.\n\nThat is a real loss. The lounge rates 4.6 on Lounge Frog, with top marks for food, coffee and quiet. It seats about 200.\n\nMilesopedia says the new lounge will have quiet zones for work, a central fireplace area, locally inspired food and a full-service bar. No floor plan, size or seat count has been released. We could not find an Air Canada release on the closure. Air Canada's lounge page did not show a notice when we checked on Oct. 8.\n\nIn the meantime, Air Canada is steering domestic travelers to its two Air Canada Cafés. These are smaller spaces built around food and a bar:","textStyle":"body","layout":"text"},{"role":"htmltable","html":"
CaféLocationHours
Main caféDomestic terminal, before gates 50/516 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Smaller caféAcross from the food court, between gates 46 and 475 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
","layout":"text"},{"role":"body","format":"markdown","text":"Air Canada's café page says entry is for Business Class or Premium Rouge passengers on a confirmed Air Canada domestic flight. Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K and 50K members qualify, as do Star Alliance Gold members. So do holders of the TD and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege cards and the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card.\n\nAir Canada's other Vancouver rooms stay open. That includes the [International Maple Leaf Lounge](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yvr-air-canada-maple-leaf-lounge-international) on Pier D (4.5), the [Transborder Maple Leaf Lounge](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yvr-air-canada-maple-leaf-lounge-transborder) on Pier E (4.5) and the [Vancouver Signature Suite](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yvr-air-canada-signature-suite) (4.1).\n\n## Other domestic lounges at YVR\n\nIf you hold Priority Pass, [DragonPass](https://www.loungefrog.com/programs/dragonpass) or LoungeKey, the [Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic)](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yvr-plaza-premium-lounge-domestic) is the better pick. It sits on level 3 near gate B15, opens 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and rates 4.4. Our listing shows about 120 seats, a full bar and apron views.\n\nThe smaller [Plaza Premium Lounge (C29)](https://www.loungefrog.com/lounges/yvr-plaza-premium-lounge-c29) is close to the closed Maple Leaf Lounge, but it rates just 1.8. It has about 36 seats and serves beer and wine only. More options are on our [Vancouver airport page](https://www.loungefrog.com/airports/yvr).\n\n## What I'd still want confirmed\n\nAir Canada has not said exactly when in December the Toronto suite reopens, or how big it will be. Nor has it given a firm date for the new Vancouver lounge. It is also unclear whether the cafés will add seats or hours to cope with more guests. For card holders weighing their options, see our story on [Aeroplan cards gaining worldwide Maple Leaf Lounge access](https://www.loungefrog.com/news/aeroplan-credit-cards-15-percent-off-maple-leaf-lounges-worldwide). We will update this story as Air Canada shares more.","textStyle":"body","layout":"text"}]}